This JCN was a wealth of information for me (winter '02: Children and Families)!! I really enjoyed the articles, and I learned a lot about other faiths and spiritual and cultural practices. This is something I've wanted to study but hadn't done it yet. I run into many different walks of life at the crisis pregnancy center. This was most helpful!!
Julie Quinn
Wichita, Kansas
The article I enjoyed most in the winter '02 JCN was "In His Arms" by Turnbull and George. It was well written and described a great ministry. I liked how Turnbull gave examples and described what she learned-then how she applied the learning. I believe her ministry is a success because she has a teachable spirit and not simply an agenda. I also appreciated "Transcultural Nursing Among Migrant Workers" by Marshall and Martin and "Caring for Children of Other Faiths" by Steen and Anderson. Both were well done, thought provoking and challenging to readers, as these nurses minister to the human spirit in their own settings. The article "Limbs of Hope" by Kargbo was very moving. "Building Bridges with Girls in Crisis" by Schmidt was a wonderful example of what one person (in this case, Carole Haas) can do when called to minister. Overall, it was a great issue. I trust it will challenge parish nurses to move beyond the church walls, which is what I think Granger Westberg had in mind anyway!!
Carol Story
Everett, Washington
Feedback on Fall
The fall '01 JCN is indeed a significant contribution to the nursing literature and to nurses struggling to practice nursing from a biblical perspective. The discussions of the benefits and the dangers of various therapies are helpful in understanding the different classifications of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and in sorting out their philosophical implications. The CAM therapies are expanding the body of knowledge needed to practice nursing safely; most of us already feel we need to know more to practice safely. Yet learn about these therapies we must, both to meet our patients' needs and to protect our patients, who likely are using one or more of these therapies, even as they come to seek our professional assistance.
Harriet Coeling
Cleveland, Ohio
This was the most helpful issue (Fall '01: Complementary & Alternative Therapies) of JCN I've read in promoting hope that Christian nursing is possible.
Burleigh Blust
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
I want to express sincere appreciation for JCN and the quality of its articles. I find it interesting and worthwhile to read it cover to cover. JCN contains much encouragement for a Christian nurse. I want to commend you on the article on Christian bioethics ("Tristam Engelhardt's Christian Bioethics" by Salladay). It helped put words to my thoughts about what has been going wrong with Christianity in much of our post-Christian, post-traditional, post-modern world. I would like to have more articles in this area. I think I am seeing a faction in parish nursing that wants to embrace all religions. I believe Dr. Engelhardt would describe it as "moving away from a Christian to a neo-pagan moral context." Also, thank you, Dr. Shelly, for your editorials rooted in God's Word.
Doreen Kapfer
Stacy, Minnesota
This JCN (fall '01) was one of the best I have read!! We as nurses need to examine methods other than traditional Western medicine. I felt alternative therapies were presented honestly, and the tone of the issue was encouraging and positive, with the articles complementing one another. I would like to hear more about how to better manage CAM in the workplace. This is a hot topic in my area and has caused dissension among nurses. I thought Ritchie ("Journey into Another Realm") was courageous in revealing her story. It is awesome to hear from someone who has been in that situation and turned back to what the Lord teaches. "Making Sense of Complementary and Alternative Therapies" by O'Mathuna and Emblen was terrific-not only informative, but challenging to Christian nurses to compare treatment origins with the Bible. We are admonished, too, to examine conventional medical practices to make sure they are appropriate and in line with Christian beliefs.
Jennifer Lund
Broomfield, Colorado
JCN Is Appreciated
Thank you for an outstanding magazine. It is very informative, focusing on pertinent issues, always well edited. God's richest blessings on your work-and the American people. You are in our prayers.
Ingeborg Gjersvik
Oslo, Norway
I have been getting JCN, and it is truly unique!! I like the feel of it. It has much to offer a Christian nurse who is striving to blend Christianity and nursing. Keep up the great work!!
Karla Weinstock
Pella, Iowa
Newfound Friend
I was utterly amazed to find your website and learn of the existence of Nurses Christian Fellowship(R) and JCN. I have taken time off from nursing to raise my family, but since I became a Christian, the thought of reactivating my license and using it to carry out God's work has often run through my mind. My web search started by looking for textbooks and finding Called to Care by Shelly and Miller, which I purchased. That led me to look at books on parish nursing, a specialty I had never heard of until this week!! Now my pastor told me that the church is discussing the option of hiring a parish nurse. This doesn't seem coincidental to me, and I think God is pointing me in an interesting direction.
When I was a young RN, even though I had degrees from two fine institutions and the stamina of a horse, I had trouble handling the spiritual needs of my patients. I had no faith and little life experience. I had difficulty dealing with dying patients (some of them literally broke my heart), and it wasn't always easy to relate to patients with acute and chronic health concerns. My education was secular. One elective I took dealt with New Age nursing-including auras and energy transference through therapeutic touch.
Now I have changed-besides maturing, in general, Christ is at the center of my life. I came to know Christ in a hospital room. I was having a cervical fusion following an auto accident, and the Lutheran pastor of the church my family had been attending visited me. God used him to change my heart. The pastor continues encouraging me to eagerly serve God's purposes for my life. Perhaps that will be as a parish nurse.
Bethany Owens
Mankato, Minnesota